Magnatized truss rod cover...

Dave Anderson · Post by **Dave Anderson** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 1:46 am

Hi guys and girls, I am just finishing a new headstock and T.R. cover with magnets instead of a screw hold downs.
I like this way much better! The magnets are strong and the cover snaps right in to place.
Any of you guys here use magnets for this too ?

Stephen Kinnaird · Post by **Stephen Kinnaird** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 3:19 am

Lookin' good, Dave!
Hey, I notice that you've got your truss rod nut pretty far back into the neck/head. Good solution, as you do not have to make that access cavity so large. However, how are you dealing with the rear end of the rod? How far out past the end of the neck does it protrude?
Or are you using a shorter rod???

Steve

Dave Anderson · Post by **Dave Anderson** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 5:23 am

Thanks Steve! No problem with the T.R. length on this neck.14 fret to the bod. and it is a shorter rod.
Yeah,I like the access hole a little smaller as you noticed and the wrench fits in nicely too.
I wanted to ask you what you think about using magnets for this.Have you tried it before??
It's a tad more work but I think it's kind of neat !

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 5:30 am

Very neat set-up, Dave.

This is my take on the magnet truss cover scenario.

cheers, Stu

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 5:46 am

I've done it on a couple as well Dave. My design is a bit more like Stu's. Everyone that sees them thinks it's a great idea. The repair tech at the local music shop saw it, along with the adjustable neck, and wanted to buy me lunch.

kiwigeo · Post by **kiwigeo** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 10:39 am

Not a good idea IMHO. What if youre playing your guitar at the helm of your prized ocean going yacht? The yachts compass would be all over the place!!!!!

Stephen Kinnaird · Post by **Stephen Kinnaird** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 12:33 pm

That's right Martin! And Dave lives close by the water.
I bet he's got a 45' double-master in his back lagoon.

Dave, to answer your Q. I think it's cool--way cool.
Might even try it some day.

Allen, Stu, come by East Texas some time, and I'll buy ya lunch too!

Steve

Clancy · Post by **Clancy** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 3:16 pm

I like the idea, but where is the best place to get the little magnets.
I'm assuming they have a fair amount of magnetic strength.

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 4:55 pm

Search for Rare Earth Magnets on Ebay. That's where I got mine. You will need to decide what size or style you want 'cause there's a heap of them up for sale.

Oh, and if you drop one, just look at everything that's metal near by, they bounce and grab onto anything that they can.

J.F. Custom · Post by **J.F. Custom** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 5:12 pm

Nice job Dave.

Stu, the way you do yours looks simply funky. Sorry - I'm usually adverse to using the word but it just does

I'm onboard. I've done this on a few too, including my current builds. I'll post a pic when the workshop is back up and running.

How about battery compartments in solid bodies? Also electronics cavity covers - though careful planning is required to avoid any interference with magnetically sensitive components. I've done this before on a solid body mando I made. I initially used screws but changed it over, seemingly with no adverse effect. Shown below is the instrument pre-mod. One cavity is the electronics the other was simply a matching cavity that I velvet lined for picks or whatnot. I'm looking at magnetic covers on two of my current full size solid bodies too. Any comments or concerns anyone? Stu??

Craig, Carba-Tec also sell a range of small rare earth (very strong) magnets in packs as small as 3mm x 3mm - about $7 for a pack of ten from memory.

Cheers,

Jeremy.

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 10:26 pm

That's great building Jeremy. Burst flows nicely too.

No probs. with covers mounted with magnets.
I have one nearly finished which would look great with magnets but the
owner has asked for screwmount, which I'm more than happy to do for him. Both work well, it's just a matter of aesthetics.

The only real considerations as far as I'm concerned are that the magnets used are strong enough so brushing against them won't pop the covers off yet weak enough so you're not likely to cause any magnetic fields causing unwanted interference with your electronics.

Just as magnets in pickups mounted too close to the strings dampen string vibration and in turn cause ghosting and deaden sustain, It''s important not to use really strong magnets close to the strings up at the nut end either. It's not a big issue near the nut but one to be aware of.

cheers, Stu

Dave Anderson · Post by **Dave Anderson** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 10:38 pm

Stephen Kinnaird wrote:That's right Martin! And Dave lives close by the water.
I bet he's got a 45' double-master in his back lagoon.

Steve

45' ? Uh huh! In me dreams !!

I'm stuck with my little fishing dingy!

A lot of great ideas guys! Very nice, Stu.
Craig, I got mine online from K&J Magnetics. No minimum order.
I got the 3/16" X 1/16" thick.

Stephen Kinnaird · Post by **Stephen Kinnaird** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 2:56 am

Dave Anderson wrote:
45' ? Uh huh! In me dreams !! I'm stuck with my little fishing dingy!

Now there ya go again, complaining about your meager salary.
We'll take up the issue of a raise in our next ad department meeting.

Till then, enjoy your dingy.

Steve

Dave Anderson · Post by **Dave Anderson** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 1:03 am

Stephen Kinnaird wrote:
Dave Anderson wrote:
45' ? Uh huh! In me dreams !! I'm stuck with my little fishing dingy!
Now there ya go again, complaining about your meager salary.
We'll take up the issue of a raise in our next ad department meeting.

Till then, enjoy your dingy.

Steve

Hey,Now you're talkin', boss!!

I REALLY could use a Bigger boat

Dennis Leahy · Post by **Dennis Leahy** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 5:13 am

Hey Dave, I'll bet that sea kayak was actually white when it hit the water. I'm sure I'd fill it with pee if that big 'ol shark came sniffing by.

I love your truss rod cover magnet - sure kept a clean look to that beautiful headstock.

Stu, awesome treatment - very cool result.

Jeremy, I was afraid to put rare earth magnets in my access cover, thinking they would probably have some negative effect on the electronics - but that needs a real-world test to prove if those little hyper-magnets actually do cause any problems. If the cover is flush with the guitar, then the other thing is a way to get the cover off - a spot to slip a fingertip under, or a tiny handle of some sort?

Dennis

J.F. Custom · Post by **J.F. Custom** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 8:38 pm

Stu,

Wish you hadn't mentioned the finish - nor looked too closely

it was my first attempt at a hand rubbed burst and a different lacquer product. I wasn't too happy with the results or overall finish to be honest. In hindsight, I think I would have preferred this to be left a 'natural blonde'. Oh well... Things we do. That was six or more years ago too. Thanks for your comments nonetheless!

Dennis,

This was my initial concern as well. However after trying it on the mando, I don't believe it will cause much issue. Having said that, I am no electronics expert which is why I threw the question out on the forum in the first place. Although those little magnets are powerful, I don't believe they throw a large enough magnetic field to adversely effect the electronics if planned carefully.

Also, yes, I would create a 'notch' for a fingernail or pick to lift the cover. Personally I would not go for a 'handle' look as for me the idea here is clean aesthetics as well as practicality with respect to access.

Cheers all,

Jeremy.

matthew · Post by **matthew** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 11:08 pm

I'm in the middle of building an access port in the side of a client's double bass. The port will be fastened with tiny rare earth magnets. I love 'em.

Craig · Post by **Craig** » Mon Jun 15, 2009 7:46 am

Brilliant Matthew ! No more soundpost setting hassles

Wish you'd told me this a long time ago . Still , I don't suppose my customers would have been overjoyed with a new hole in their instrument

,,,,,,,,,,You did tell him ,right ?

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Mon Jun 15, 2009 8:30 am

Craig wrote:Brilliant Matthew ! No more soundpost setting hassles

Also doubles as a place to stash the stubbies during a bracket

Nice job Matthew, certainly would ease set up issues & make a traditionalist's bum pucker....cutting into a bass :serg

matthew · Post by **matthew** » Mon Jun 15, 2009 8:44 am

Yes customer is aware of the mod, I made sure of that. It is part of a bolt-on neck conversion for a bassist who wants to travel with a nice instrument. The port will allow spare socks and undies and whisky to be stashed inside for travelling, and allow adjustment of the soundpost if it moves during shipping. The bass has a nice roadcase that is 1/4 the overall dimension of a classisc double bass hard case, and i can fit the whole thing in the back seat of my Camry.

kiwigeo · Post by **kiwigeo** » Mon Jun 15, 2009 8:49 am

Perfect for storing the batman suit and the Bumble Bee Bass Suit.

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:26 pm

Here's how I'm doing them these days.

2 magnets in the bullet cover. 1/3x3mm magnet 1/5x3mm magnet.

in the slot is 1/3x3mm magnet embedded.

Cheers, Stu

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 9:49 am

Stu, I saw some of this guitar on the Woodwork forum.
Man, your workmanship and attention to detail puts most of us here to shame. I saw that you have even humbled Perry.

You gonna show us here?
Dom

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 7:02 pm

Thanks Domenic. A couple of bits of wood glued together...........

I was going to post it up when I get some finished shots of it.

cheers, Stu

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Magnatized truss rod cover...

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